So What (Pink song)
{{Short description|2008 single by Pink}}
{{Use mdy dates|date=October 2021}}
{{Infobox song
| name = So What
| cover = Pinksowhatcover.jpg
| alt =
| type = single
| artist = Pink
| album = Funhouse
| B-side = Could've Had Everything
| released = {{start date|2008|8|11}}
| recorded = 2008
| studio =
| genre =
| length = 3:35
| label = LaFace
| writer = {{hlist|Pink|Max Martin|Shellback}}
| producer = Max Martin
| prev_title = 'Cuz I Can
| prev_year = 2007
| next_title = Sober
| next_year = 2008
| misc = {{External music video|{{YouTube|FJfFZqTlWrQ|"So What"}} }}
}}
"So What" is a song recorded by American singer Pink for her fifth studio album, Funhouse (2008). The song was written by Pink, Max Martin, and Shellback, and produced by Martin. Selected as the album's lead single, "So What" was first released on August 11, 2008, and to mainstream radios on August 25, 2008, through LaFace and Zomba Label Group. The song consists of a martial beat and synth backing. The lyrics are based on her separation from freestyle motocross rider Carey Hart, which occurred six months prior to the release.
"So What" received positive reviews from contemporary music critics; many praised it for its aggressive and empowering nature while others deemed it childish and bratty. The song was also successful commercially, topping the charts in several countries across Europe and Oceania and peaking within the top five worldwide. In the United States, the song reached number one on the Billboard Hot 100, becoming her second single to top the chart. "So What" also became her highest-selling single in the United States, with sales of over four million downloads. The song was the second-bestselling song of 2008 in Australia and the sixth-bestselling song of the entire 2000s decade in the country. It was certified diamond in the country.
The music video for "So What" was directed by longtime collaborator Dave Meyers. It shows Pink drinking while riding a lawnmower,{{cite journal|last=Dyball|first=Rennie|title=Pink Sends Message to Ex in New Song|journal=People|date=July 8, 2008|url=http://www.people.com/people/article/0,,20217456,00.html|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080808081145/http://www.people.com/people/article/0,,20217456,00.html|url-status=dead|archive-date=August 8, 2008}} sawing down a tree, smashing a guitar at a Guitar Center and other activities. The video also features a cameo appearance from Hart. Pink performed "So What" on MTV Europe Music Awards 2008 on November 6, 2008. The song was nominated for several awards, eventually winning the MTV Europe Music Award for the Most Addictive Track.
Background and production
"So What" was written by Pink, Shellback, and Max Martin, drawing influences from the experience. Martin also handled the production and recording, which took place at Maratone Studios in Stockholm, Sweden. Al Clay also recorded the song at the House of Blues Studio – a recording studio in Los Angeles, California. The song was mixed at MixStar Studios in Virginia Beach, Virginia by Serban Ghenea. John Hanes edited the song using Pro Tools technology with assistance provided by the person called Tim Roberts. The song was finally mastered by Tom Coyne at Sterling Sound in New York City, New York. The song's lyrical content was based on her separation from her husband, motocross rider Carey Hart.{{cite web|title=Pink blue after marriage bust-up|url=http://www.news.com.au/entertainment/music/pink-blue-after-marriage-bust-up/story-e6frfn09-1111115596860|work=NEWS.com.au|publisher=News Limited|access-date=July 18, 2012|date=February 20, 2008|archive-date=July 2, 2013|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130702193619/http://www.news.com.au/entertainment/music/pink-blue-after-marriage-bust-up/story-e6frfn09-1111115596860|url-status=dead}} After reuniting with Hart on January 1, 2009, Pink told Ellen DeGeneres in an interview on DeGeneres' syndicated talk show that she found it "funny" to perform the song when he was in the audience and especially enjoyed the bit where she sang the line "You're a tool".{{cite web|title=Pink confirms reunion with husband|url=http://www.rte.ie/ten/2009/0515/pink.html|work=RTÉ|publisher=RTÉ Commercial Enterprises Ltd|access-date=July 18, 2012|date=May 15, 2009}}
Composition
{{Listen
|filename = Pink - So What.ogg
|pos = right
|title = "So What"
|description = A 21-second sample of "So What" featuring Pink singing about her post-breakup adventures to a martial beat and synth backing.
}}
File:Jessica simpson performing.jpg is mentioned in the song.]]
"So What" runs for 3 minutes and 35 seconds, with an energetic, confident vibe. The song consists of a powerful, charging beat, a singalong chorus, and a synthesizer backing influenced by club music. Set to a meter of 4/4 (or common time), the tempo of “So What” is 126 BPM (beats per minute), although it may also be interpreted at half-time (at 63 BPM) or double-time (at 252 BPM). Additionally, with its many triplets, the melody may also be interpreted as 6/8 or 12/8 time. The song's verses and pre-chorus bars are in the key of F-sharp minor, with its choruses and bridge in the relative key of A major. The initial guitar riff is closely familiar to Deep Purple's "Black Night". Lyrically, the song chronicles the protagonist's adventures following her separation from her husband. Evan Sawdey of PopMatters noted that the song has a hint of desperation in the lines "I don’t want you tonight, I’m alright, I'm just fine", implying that she is spending time convincing herself that she's enjoying the single life. The song is described as a glam rock,{{cite web|url=https://www.spin.com/2012/07/pink-raises-her-glass-again-blow-me-one-last-kiss/|title=Pink Raises Her Glass Again on 'Blow Me (One Last Kiss)'|first=Marc|last=Hogan|work=Spin|date=July 3, 2012|access-date=April 14, 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200131114520/https://www.spin.com/2012/07/pink-raises-her-glass-again-blow-me-one-last-kiss/|archive-date=January 31, 2020|url-status=live}} pop rock{{Cite web|url=https://www.bbc.com/culture/article/20191119-max-martin-the-secrets-of-the-worlds-best-pop-songwriter|title=Max Martin: The secrets of the world's best pop songwriter|first=Nick|last=Levine|website=www.bbc.com|date=November 19, 2019 }} and electronic rock{{Cite podcast|url=https://slate.com/podcasts/hit-parade/2023/03/pink-defined-her-own-r-and-b-to-rock-genre|title=Raise Your Glass Edition|website=Hit Parade {{!}} Music History and Music Trivia|publisher=Slate|last=Molanphy|first=Chris|date=March 10, 2023|access-date=April 16, 2023}} song.
Release
"So What" was released as the first single from Pink's fifth studio album Funhouse (2008). It was first released on August 11, 2008, via digital download to certain countries including Australia, Canada, New Zealand, and the United Kingdom. LaFace and Jive Records solicited the song to contemporary hit radio on August 25, 2008. On September 20, 2008, "So What" was released as a two-track single to digital retailers in certain countries. The single included a B-side, "Could've Had Everything". An extended play was released across Europe on September 26, 2008, containing "Could've had Everything" and the original and instrumental version of "So What". On October 24 and November 14, 2008, remixes by UK dance music group Bimbo Jones was released to digital retailers across Europe in the form of a radio mix and the regular mix. In the United States, "So What" was released as a CD single, featuring the clean and unedited versions of the song.
Critical reception
Reed Fischer of Village Voice noted it was the "newest entry in the Fantastic Empowerment Anthems genre."{{cite web|last=Fischer |first=Reed |title=Pink: Not Dead, Again |url=http://www.villagevoice.com/2008-10-29/music/pink-not-dead-again/ |work=The Village Voice |publisher=Village Voice, LLC |access-date=July 16, 2012 |date=October 29, 2008 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121018214927/http://www.villagevoice.com/2008-10-29/music/pink-not-dead-again/ |archive-date=October 18, 2012 }} Stephen Thomas Erlewine, senior editor of Allmusic, named it one of Funhouse's best tracks, calling it, in conjunction with "Bad Influence", "instantly indelible".{{cite web|last=Erlewine|first=Stephen Thomas|title=Funhouse – P!nk|url=http://www.allmusic.com/album/funhouse-mw0000800257|work=Allmusic|publisher=Rovi Corporation|access-date=July 16, 2012}} Andy Battaglia of The A.V. Club expressed a different opinion towards the song, calling it "so blaring and bad as to make Funhouse seem like a lost cause from the start."{{cite web|last=Battaglia|first=Andy|title=Pink: Funhouse|url=https://www.avclub.com/pink-funhouse-1798205214|work=The A.V. Club|publisher=Onion, Inc|access-date=July 16, 2012|date=November 10, 2008}} Chris Willman of Entertainment Weekly praised "So What" as a great anthem of "bluffing and bravado", while Jon Caramanica of The New York Times referred to the song as "perfunctory".{{cite magazine|last=Willman|first=Chris|title=Funhouse Review|url=http://www.ew.com/ew/article/0,,20235037,00.html|magazine=Entertainment Weekly|publisher=Entertainment Weekly Inc|access-date=July 16, 2012|date=October 22, 2008|archive-date=May 11, 2012|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120511020122/http://www.ew.com/ew/article/0,,20235037,00.html|url-status=dead}}{{cite web|last=Caramanica|first=Jon|title=Critics' Choice: New CDs|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2008/10/27/arts/music/27choi.html?_r=2|work=The New York Times|access-date=July 16, 2012|date=October 26, 2008}} Evan Sawdey of PopMatters wrote positively about the song, calling it "as big a red herring single as you can find."{{cite web|last=Sawdey|first=Evan|title=Pink: Funhouse|url=http://www.popmatters.com/pm/review/pink-funhouse|work=PopMatters|access-date=July 16, 2012|date=November 5, 2008}} Jonathan Keefe of Slant Magazine called "So What" a middling effort among the songs he considers viable single material in Funhouse. Keefe later referred to it as nothing more than a "schoolyard taunt", linking it to Pink's 2001 single "Get the Party Started" (Missundaztood, 2001).{{cite web|last=Keefe|first=Jonathan|title=Pink: Funhouse|url=http://www.slantmagazine.com/music/review/pink-funhouse/1548|work=Slant Magazine|access-date=July 16, 2012|date=October 26, 2008}}
Bill Lamb of About.com awarded "So What" a four-and-a-half–star rating, praising the song's synth backing and beat and Pink's attitude. Lamb also praised Max Martin for his production work on the song, writing that he "punches up the energy level to 10."{{cite web|last=Lamb|first=Bill|title=Pink – "So What"|url=http://top40.about.com/od/singles/gr/pinksowhat.htm|work=About.com|publisher=The New York Times Company|access-date=July 17, 2012|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080819215658/http://top40.about.com/od/singles/gr/pinksowhat.htm|archive-date=August 19, 2008|url-status=dead }} Nick Levine of Digital Spy, in his review of the leaked single, called the song "brash, childish, slightly ridiculous, packed with attitude and sounds like something only Pink could get away with." Levine also called it "terrifically catchy" and praised the chorus as one "that practically begs you to chant along."{{cite web|last=Levine|first=Nick|title=Pink's new single has landed|url=http://www.digitalspy.com/music/thesound/a120187/pinks-new-single-has-landed.html|work=Digital Spy|publisher=Hearst Magazines, UK|access-date=July 17, 2012|date=August 7, 2008}} Following its official release in the United Kingdom, Levine awarded it a five-star rating, calling it one that people will sing along to.{{cite web|last=Levine|first=Nick|title=Pink: 'So What' – Music Singles Review|url=http://www.digitalspy.com/music/singlesreviews/a130492/pink-so-what.html|work=Digital Spy|publisher=Hearst Magazines, UK|access-date=July 17, 2012|date=September 18, 2008}} Lucy Davies of BBC called the song an "aggressively swinging opener" that "slams Pink's cards down on the table setting the defiant, self-deprecating tone of the album."{{cite web|last=Davies|first=Lucy|title=P!nk Funhouse Review|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/music/reviews/g4n8|work=BBC Music|access-date=July 17, 2012|date=October 28, 2008}} Michael Cragg of musicOMH wrote that Pink was at her best when she uses her life experiences to create "smart, energetic pop songs", citing "So What" as one of them.{{cite web|last=Cragg |first=Michael |title=Pink – Funhouse |url=http://www.musicomh.com/albums/pink-2_1008.htm |work=musicOMH |publisher=OMH |access-date=July 18, 2012 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121011194606/http://www.musicomh.com/albums/pink-2_1008.htm |archive-date=October 11, 2012 }}
=Accolades=
This song was number 29 on Rolling Stone{{'}}s list of the 100 Best Songs of 2008.{{#tag:ref|"[https://web.archive.org/web/20081229022442/http://www.rollingstone.com/news/story/24947047/the_100_best_singles_of_2008/8 The 100 Best Songs of 2008]". Rolling Stone (December 25, 2008). Retrieved 2008-12-25|name=bestsongs}} Time critic Josh Tyrangiel named this the #2 song of 2008.Time, December 22, 2008, pages 47–8.
| class="wikitable" |
| Year
! Ceremony ! Award ! Result ! |
|---|
| 2008
| {{won}} |{{cite web|url=http://www.nme.com/news/various-artists/40913|title=MTV EMAs name Rick Astley 'Best Act Ever'|publisher=NME. IPC Media|access-date=January 5, 2012|date=November 7, 2008}} |
| rowspan="2"|2009
| Best Female Pop Vocal Performance | {{nom}} |
| MTV Video Music Awards
| {{nom}} |
Chart performance
"So What" became Pink's most successful single from Funhouse (2008). In the United States, the song entered at number nine on the Billboard Hot 100 in the issue dated September 6, 2008, earning the highest debut title for that week.{{cite magazine|title=Hot 100 – Week of September 6, 2008|url=http://www.billboard.com/charts/2008-09-06/hot-100?order=gainer|magazine=Billboard|date = September 12, 2008|publisher=Prometheus Global Media|access-date=July 18, 2012}} Two weeks later, the song topped the US Hot Digital Songs chart, selling 197,000 digital downloads.{{cite web|last=Grein |first=Paul |title=Week Ending Sept. 7, 2008: Beating The Teen Idol Curse |url=http://music.yahoo.com/blogs/chart-watch/week-ending-sept-7-2008-beating-the-teen-idol-curse.html;_ylt=An5xR_9wgGuqCgM_tF.PoU4PwiUv;_ylu=X3oDMTFlb2o1cWx0BG1pdANNdXNpYyBCbG9nIEluZGV4BHBvcwM0NgRzZWMDTWVkaWFCbG9nSW5kZXg-;_ylg=X3oDMTFpMm9iMzh1BGludGwDdXMEbGFuZwNlbi11cwRwc3RhaWQDBHBzdGNhdANibG9nBHB0A3NlY3Rpb25z;_ylv=3 |archive-url=https://archive.today/20130210101056/http://music.yahoo.com/blogs/chart-watch/week-ending-sept-7-2008-beating-the-teen-idol-curse.html;_ylt=An5xR_9wgGuqCgM_tF.PoU4PwiUv;_ylu=X3oDMTFlb2o1cWx0BG1pdANNdXNpYyBCbG9nIEluZGV4BHBvcwM0NgRzZWMDTWVkaWFCbG9nSW5kZXg-;_ylg=X3oDMTFpMm9iMzh1BGludGwDdXMEbGFuZwNlbi11cwRwc3RhaWQDBHBzdGNhdANibG9nBHB0A3NlY3Rpb25z;_ylv=3 |url-status=dead |archive-date=February 10, 2013 |work=Chart Watch |publisher=Yahoo! Inc |access-date=July 18, 2012 |date=September 10, 2008 }} One week later, in the issue September 27, 2008, it topped the Billboard Hot 100, selling 253,000 downloads that week.{{cite web|last=Grein|first=Paul|title=Week Ending Sept. 14, 2008: Metallica And The Hard Rock Pantheon|url=http://music.yahoo.com/blogs/chart-watch/week-ending-sept-14-2008-metallica-and-the-hard-rock-pantheon.html;_ylt=AlWjNyMwJq8zphCDTFDeQ34PwiUv;_ylu=X3oDMTFlY2dxbmE3BG1pdANNdXNpYyBCbG9nIEluZGV4BHBvcwMzOQRzZWMDTWVkaWFCbG9nSW5kZXg-;_ylg=X3oDMTFpMm9iMzh1BGludGwDdXMEbGFuZwNlbi11cwRwc3RhaWQDBHBzdGNhdANibG9nBHB0A3NlY3Rpb25z;_ylv=3|work=Chart Watch|publisher=Yahoo! Inc|access-date=July 18, 2012|date=September 16, 2008}} The song became her second number-one hit on the chart after her 2001 collaboration single "Lady Marmalade" with Christina Aguilera, Lil' Kim, and Mýa. The song also topped the US Adult Pop Songs in the issue dated December 20, 2008, and on the US Pop Songs chart for four weeks.Sources for "So What" positions on the US Pop Songs Chart (Billboard):
- Week of October 25, 2008: {{cite magazine|url=http://www.billboard.com/charts/2008-10-25/pop-songs|title= Pop Songs|magazine=Billboard|publisher=Prometheus Global Media|access-date=March 7, 2012}}
- Week of November 1, 2008: {{cite magazine|url=http://www.billboard.com/charts/2008-11-01/pop-songs|title= Pop Songs|magazine=Billboard|publisher=Prometheus Global Media|access-date=March 7, 2012}}
- Week of November 8, 2008: {{cite magazine|url=http://www.billboard.com/charts/2008-11-08/pop-songs|title= Pop Songs|magazine=Billboard|publisher=Prometheus Global Media|access-date=March 7, 2012}}
- Week of November 15, 2008: {{cite magazine|url=http://www.billboard.com/charts/2008-11-15/pop-songs|title= Pop Songs|magazine=Billboard|publisher=Prometheus Global Media|access-date=March 7, 2012}}
- Week of November 22, 2008: {{cite magazine|url=http://www.billboard.com/charts/2008-11-22/pop-songs|title= Pop Songs|magazine=Billboard|publisher=Prometheus Global Media|access-date=March 7, 2012}}
It also peaked at number 21 on the US Hot Dance Club Songs.{{cite magazine|title=So What – P!nk|url={{BillboardURLbyName|artist=pink|chart=all}}|magazine=Billboard|publisher=Nielsen Business Media, Inc|access-date=July 18, 2012}} "So What" has sold 4,624,000 digital downloads in the United States as of August 2013.{{cite news |url=http://music.yahoo.com/blogs/chart-watch/week-ending-aug-18-2013-songs-perry-trumps-190641949.html|title=Week Ending Aug. 18, 2013. Songs: Perry Trumps Gaga| author=Paul Grein |date= August 17, 2013 |work=Chart Watch }}
"So What" proved to be a major success across Europe, peaking within the top five in various countries. In the United Kingdom, the song entered the singles chart at number 38 for the issue dated October 4, 2008. It ascended to number one the following week, becoming Pink's third UK number one, staying there for three consecutive weeks before being knocked-off the top spot by Girls Aloud‘s “The Promise”. The song lasted a total of 36 weeks on the chart, selling 500,000 copies in the United Kingdom, according to The Official Charts Company.{{cite web|url=http://www.mtv.co.uk/music/charts/official-uk-countdowns/pink-official-top-20|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20101010185702/http://www.mtv.co.uk/music/charts/official-uk-countdowns/pink-official-top-20|url-status=dead|archive-date=October 10, 2010|title=Pink: The Official Top 20|publisher=MTV. MTV Networks|access-date=December 20, 2010}} "So What" debuted at number nine on the Swedish Singles Chart on September 4, 2008. A week later, on September 11, 2008, it rose to its peak position of number two, where it remained for two weeks. The song was certified gold by the Swedish Recording Industry Association (GLF) on December 11, 2008, for shipments of 20,000 units. Upon its debut in Switzerland, the song topped the singles chart and remained there for three more weeks. The song ran on the chart for a course of 41 weeks, during which time it sold 30,000 units, earning a platinum certification by International Federation of the Phonographic Industry – Switzerland.{{cite web|url=http://www.swisscharts.com/search_certifications.asp?search=so+what|title=Swiss Certifications – P!nk – So What|work=International Federation of the Phonographic Industry|language=de|publisher=Hung Medien|access-date=July 21, 2012}}
"So What" also topped the singles charts in both Australia and New Zealand. In Australia, it remained atop the chart for four consecutive weeks and on the chart for nearly eight months. The song shipped 280,000 units in Australia, earning a quadruple-platinum certification by the Australian Recording Industry Association (ARIA).{{cite web|url=http://www.aria.com.au/pages/SinglesAccreds2018.htm |title=ARIA Charts – Accreditations – 2018 Singles |publisher=Australian Recording Industry Association |access-date=July 11, 2018}} In New Zealand, the single debuted on the singles chart at number 25 on August 18, 2008. Three weeks later, it topped the chart, where it stayed for five consecutive weeks. It lasted a total of 24 weeks on the chart, selling 15,000 copies and earning a platinum certification from the Recording Industry Association of New Zealand (RIANZ) on January 11, 2009.{{cite web|url=https://aotearoamusiccharts.co.nz/archive/singles/2009-01-23|title=Latest Gold/Platinum Singles|publisher=Recorded Music NZ|access-date=July 5, 2014}}
Music video
Dave Meyers, known for having artists give over-the-top portrayals of celebrities (or themselves), directed the video for "So What". Pink had previously worked with Meyers on several occasions, notably on the music videos to "U + Ur Hand" and "Stupid Girls", both earning an MTV Video Music Award for Best Pop Video.[http://www.sonybmg.com.au/news/details.do?newsId=20030829005731 Pink Returns With New Single 'So What'] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080730125545/http://www.sonybmg.com.au/news/details.do?newsId=20030829005731 |date=July 30, 2008 }} Sony BMG Australia. Retrieved July 24, 2008. Additionally, Pink worked with Meyers on other music videos for "There You Go", "Most Girls", "You Make Me Sick", "Get the Party Started", "Don't Let Me Get Me" and the Charlie's Angels: Full Throttle track "Feel Good Time". The video was shown on August 22 on FNMTV.[http://www.pinkspage.com/event/2008/08/22 Pink "So What" Premiere on FN MTV!] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080801055556/http://www.pinkspage.com/event/2008/08/22 |date=August 1, 2008 }} Pinkspage Pink's Official Website. Retrieved July 24, 2008 The video premiered on 22 August 2008 on the UK music site Popjustice. Pink posted a message on her website for her fans about what it was like to shoot the video: {{cquote|If you EVER get a chance to drive a lawnmower down Sunset Blvd – I highly suggest it. Thanks for making my day. I'm really, really, really excited. This video was too much fun... glad you likey's and don't worry – Carey likey's too. We are insane.|20px|20px|Pink|Pink's official website[https://web.archive.org/web/20080910052447/http://www.connietalk.com/pinks_comeback_080708.html The Wait Will Soon Be Over For Pink Fans] Connie Talk. August 7, 2008. Retrieved July 3, 2018
}}
File:PinkSoWhatMusicVideo.jpg The video begins in a tattoo parlor, where Pink is getting a tattoo of a red void mark on her arm across an existing tattoo, before the scene cuts to Pink riding down Sunset Boulevard in Los Angeles on a lawnmower while drinking alcohol. Pink is then shown entering a Guitar Center store and browsing guitars. She pretends to play before attempting to smash it into the ground, but she is restrained by a store clerk, leading to a scuffle. Pink is shown cutting down a tree engraved with her legal name (Alecia Moore) and her estranged husband's name (Carey Hart) with a chainsaw. She cries on the chainsaw while telling herself that she is all right, right before the tree falls and nearly crushes her neighbor. After this, Pink is sitting in a bar after losing her table to Jessica Simpson, accompanied by a man who is playing the drums out of glasses.
The next scene sees Pink on a motorbike, and a newlywed couple in a car pulls-up beside her, waving and smiling. Jealous and outraged at the happy newlyweds, Pink is shown throwing objects at the car and popping the blown-up condoms used to decorate the vehicle, before climbing onto it and playfully (albeit violently) “attacking” the vehicle. Pink is then shown stripping on a red carpet, surrounded by photographers, as she takes off her jacket to reveal her (censored) nude body. The paparazzi all snap photos of her as she does choreography from Michael Jackson's video for "Thriller", naked, but more akin to Mike Myers in Austin Powers 2. Then, while getting her hair done, Pink’s stylist applies hairspray as she proceeds to light a cigarette, accidentally setting her hair on fire. Also shown are two men urinating in beer bottles, which they give to Pink; however, she passes them to two men walking past her. They drink it and then, realizing what it is, spit it out in disgust. Finally, Pink is shown surrounded by men and women in their underwear engaging in a pillow fight.
The video then cuts between all the scenes shown in the video before ending with Pink poking her tongue at the camera with her husband. Pink is also shown performing the song, live, near the end. Her husband, Carey Hart, makes cameos throughout the video, such as a scene where they are talking as newspaper headlines appear behind them. Producer Butch Walker also makes a cameo. Pink has stated that Hart had not heard the song prior to arriving for the video shoot.{{cite web|url = http://music.ndtv.com/story.asp?section=music&id=ENTEN20080065911|title = Pink tricked her ex-husband into acting|access-date = September 21, 2008|date = September 18, 2008|publisher = ndtv.com|archive-date = September 21, 2008|archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20080921001901/http://music.ndtv.com/story.asp?section=music&id=ENTEN20080065911|url-status = dead}} The video was released on September 6 on iTunes. The video was ranked on VH1 as the 3rd best music video of 2008 on the Top 40 Videos of 2008. On Facebook, it was the second favorite video of 2008.{{cite web|url=http://apps.facebook.com/ilike/top10 |title=Music on Facebook | Facebook |access-date=February 15, 2009 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110522045345/http://apps.facebook.com/ilike/top10 |archive-date=May 22, 2011 }} The scene from the video where Pink's hair is set on fire was censored on MTV UK and its sister channels due to regulations surrounding immolation and violence. That scene is replaced with other short clips from the video.
Credits and personnel
;Recording, mixing and mastering
- Recorded at Maratone Studios in Stockholm, Sweden and House of Blues Studio in Los Angeles, California
- Mixed at MixStar Studios in Virginia Beach, Virginia
- Mastered at Sterling Sound in New York City, New York
;Personnel
- Vocals – Pink
- Songwriting – Pink, Max Martin, Shellback
- Production – Max Martin
- Recording – Max Martin, Al Clay
- Mixing – Serban Ghenea
- Pro Tools editing – John Hanes, assisted by Tim Roberts
- Mastering – Tom Coyne
Credits adapted from Funhouse liner notes, LaFace Records, Jive Records.{{cite AV media notes |title=Funhouse |publisher=LaFace Records, Jive Records |year=2008}}
Track listing
{{col-start}}
{{col-2}}
- "So What" – 3:34
- "So What" – 3:34
- "Could've Had Everything" – 3:09
- "So What" (Video) – 3:46
- "So What" – 3:34
- "So What (Clean)" – 3:35
- "Could've Had Everything" – 3:09
- "So What (Bimbo Jones Radio Mix)" – 3:36
- "So What" – 3:34
- "So What" – 3:34
- "Could've Had Everything" – 3:09
- "So What" (Video) – 3:46
- "So What" – 3:34
- "So What (Clean)" – 3:35
- "Could've Had Everything" – 3:09
{{col-2}}
- "So What (Bimbo Jones Radio Mix)" – 3:36
- "So What (Clean)" – 3:35
- "So What" – 3:35
- "So What (Bimbo Jones Mix)" – 7:29
{{col-end}}
;CD single (UK and Ireland only)
- "So What" – 3:35
- "Could've Had Everything" – 3:09
Charts
{{col-begin}}
{{col-2}}
=Weekly charts=
| class="wikitable sortable" |
| Chart (2008–2009)
!Peak |
|---|
| {{single chart|Australia|1|artist=P!nk|song=So What|access-date=March 25, 2011|refname="Australia"}} |
| {{single chart|Austria|1|artist=P!nk|song=So What|access-date=March 25, 2011|refname="Austria"}} |
| {{single chart|Flanders|4|artist=P!nk|song=So What|access-date=March 25, 2011|refname="Flanders"}} |
| {{single chart|Wallonia|7|artist=P!nk|song=So What|access-date=March 25, 2011|refname="Wallonia"}} |
| Bulgaria (BAMP){{cite web|url=http://bamp-bg.org/read.php?id=160|title=Airplay Top 10 NMC Week44 (27.10.2008 - 02.11.2008)|website=Bulgarian Association of Music Producers|language=bg|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090124035936/http://bamp-bg.org:80/read.php?id=160|archive-date=24 January 2009|access-date=6 November 2021}}
| style="text-align:center;"|6 |
| {{single chart|Canada|1|artist=Pink|artistid={{BillboardID|P!nk}}|song=So What|access-date=March 25, 2011|refname="Canadian Singles"}} |
| {{single chart|Billboardcanadachrtop40|1|artist=Pink|artistid={{BillboardID|P!nk}}|song=So What|access-date=June 25, 2020}} |
| {{single chart|Billboardcanadahotac|1|artist=Pink|artistid={{BillboardID|P!nk}}|song=So What|access-date=June 25, 2020}} |
| {{single chart|CIS|39|artist=Pink|song=So What?|songid=14713|access-date=August 2, 2022}} |
| Croatia (HRT){{cite web|url=https://airplayradiochart.com/2019/05/14/chart-retrospektiva-pnk/|title=Chart retrospektiva: P!nk|date=May 14, 2019 |publisher=Airplay Radio Chart|access-date=December 23, 2024}}
| style="text-align:center;"|1 |
| {{single chart|Czech Republic|1|week=48|year=2008}} |
| {{single chart|Denmark|3|artist=P!nk|song=So What|access-date=March 30, 2012}} |
| Europe (European Hot 100 Singles){{cite magazine|title=Hits of the World: Euro Singles Sales|magazine=Billboard|volume=120|issue=44|page=62|date=November 1, 2008}}
| style="text-align:center;"|1 |
| {{single chart|Finland|2|artist=P!nk|song=So What|access-date=March 25, 2011}} |
| {{single chart|France|4|artist=P!nk|song=So What|access-date=March 25, 2011}} |
| {{single chart|Germany|1|artist=P!nk|song=So What|songid=498944}} |
| {{single chart|Hungary|7|year=2009|week=3|access-date=April 5, 2020|refname=hungary}} |
| Iceland (RÚV){{cite web|url=http://www.ruv.is/persona/pink|publisher=RÚV|title= Pink Chart History|date=March 30, 2016| access-date=June 30, 2017}}
| style="text-align:center;"|15 |
| {{single chart|Ireland2|1|song=So What|access-date=January 27, 2020}} |
| Israel (Media Forest){{cite web | title=Media Forest: Airplay chart | date=November 13, 2008| url=http://www.mako.co.il/music-news/radio_airplay_chart/Article-cf2b7ba9db59d11006.htm| publisher=mako.com/mediaforest.biz |access-date= March 25, 2011}}
| style="text-align:center;"|1 |
| {{single chart|Italy|14|artist=P!nk|song=So What|access-date=March 25, 2011}} |
| {{single chart|Billboardjapanhot100|17|artist=P!nk|artistid={{BillboardID|P!nk}}|song=So What|access-date=March 25, 2011}} |
| Mexico Anglo (Monitor Latino){{cite web|url=http://wradio.com.mx/radio/2008/12/08/entretenimiento/1228776420_726501.html|title=Llega Banda El Recodo al primer lugar de éxitos radiales en México|publisher=W Radio|accessdate=January 6, 2017|date=December 8, 2008|language=es}}
| style="text-align:center;" |1 |
| Mexico (Billboard Ingles Airplay){{Cite magazine|url=https://www.billboard.com/artist/pink/chart-history/mex/|title= Pink Chart History: Mexico Ingles Airplay|access-date=January 24, 2009|magazine=Billboard}}
| style="text-align:center;" |4 |
| {{single chart|Dutch40|4|year=2008|week=48|access-date=February 28, 2020}} |
| {{single chart|Dutch100|10|artist=P!nk|song=So What|access-date=February 28, 2020}} |
| {{single chart|New Zealand|1|artist=P!nk|song=So What|access-date=March 25, 2011|refname="New Zealand"}} |
| {{single chart|Norway|3|artist=P!nk|song=So What|access-date=March 25, 2011}} |
| Portugal (Billboard){{cite magazine|title=Portugal Digital Songs: Oct. 18, 2008 – Billboard Chart Archive|url=https://www.billboard.com/biz/charts/2008-10-18/portugal|magazine=Billboard|access-date=September 3, 2018}}
| style="text-align:center;"|1 |
| {{single chart|Scotland|1|artist=P!nk|song=So What|date=October 18, 2008|access-date=November 10, 2012}} |
| Slovakia (IFPI){{cite web |url=http://www.ifpicr.cz/hitparadask/index.php?a=titul&hitparada=18&titul=145189&sec=196ab72bee9423beb12204e2cedfc084 |title=RADIO TOP100 Oficiálna – P!nk – So What |language=sk |publisher=IFPI Slovakia |access-date=March 25, 2011}}
| style="text-align:center;"|2 |
| {{single chart|Spain|31|artist=P!nk|song=So What|access-date=March 25, 2011}} |
| {{single chart|Sweden|2|artist=P!nk|song=So What|access-date=March 25, 2011|refname="Sweden"}} |
| {{single chart|Switzerland|1|artist=P!nk|song=So What|access-date=March 25, 2011|refname="Switzerland"}} |
| {{single chart|UKsinglesbyname|1|artist=Pink|song=So What|artistid=7334|refname="United Kingdom"}} |
| {{single chart|Billboardhot100|1|artist=Pink|artistid=333418|refname="Billboard Hot One Hundred"}} |
| {{single chart|Billboardadultpopsongs|1|artist=Pink|artistid=333418}} |
| {{single chart|Billboarddanceclubplay|21|artist=Pink|artistid=333418}} |
| {{single chart|Billboardpopsongs|1|artist=Pink|artistid=333418}} |
| {{single chart|Billboardrhythmic|28|artist=Pink|artistid=333418}} |
| class="wikitable" |
| Chart (2021)
!Peak |
|---|
| Honduras Anglo (Monitor Latino){{cite web|url=http://charts.monitorlatino.com/top20/Print/honduras/anglo/20210524|publisher=Monitor Latino|title= Top 20 Honduras Anglo del 24 al 30 de Mayo, 2021|access-date=May 31, 2021|language=Spanish}}
| style="text-align:center;"|9 |
{{col-2}}
=Year-end charts=
=Decade-end charts=
{{col-end}}
Certifications
{{Certification Table Top}}
{{Certification Table Entry|region=Australia|type=single|award=Platinum|number=10|relyear=2008|certyear=2023|access-date=April 7, 2023}}
{{Certification Table Entry|region=Austria|artist=P!nk|title=So What|type=single|award=Gold|relyear=2008|certyear=2008|access-date=25 November 2021}}
{{Certification Table Entry|region=Belgium|type=single|award=Gold|relyear=2008|relmonth=08|certyear=2009|certmonth=1|access-date=April 25, 2013|nosales=true}}
{{Certification Table Entry|region=Canada|relyear=2012|certyear=2021|title=So What|artist=Pink|type=single|award=Platinum|number=5|accessdate=September 19, 2021|refname="MC"}}
{{Certification Table Entry|region=Denmark|type=single|artist=Pink|title=So What|award=Platinum|relyear=2008|certyear=2009|certref={{cite web|url=http://www.hitlisten.nu/default.asp?w=18&y=2009&list=t40 |title=Tracklisten, uge 18, 2019 |publisher=Tracklisten }}}}
{{Certification Table Entry|region=Finland|type=single|artist=Pink|title=So What|award=Gold|relyear=2008|certyear=2009|salesamount=7,407}}
{{Certification Table Entry|region=Germany|type=single|artist=Pink|title=So What|award=Platinum|relyear=2008|certyear=2009}}
{{Certification Table Entry|region=Italy|type=single|artist=Pink|title=So What|award=Gold|relyear=2008|certyear=2019|id=6919|access-date=August 12, 2019}}
{{Certification Table Entry|region=Mexico|type=single|artist=Pink|title=So What|award=Platinum+Gold|relyear=2008|certyear=2022|accessdate=June 3, 2022}}
{{Certification Table Entry|region=New Zealand|relyear=2008|title=So What|artist=Pink|type=single|award=Platinum|number=3|source=radioscope|certyear=2024|access-date=2024-12-19}}
{{Certification Table Entry|region=Spain|artist=P!nk|title=So What|type=single|award=Gold|relyear=2008|certyear=2024|id=pnk-so-what|access-date=25 March 2024}}
{{Certification Table Entry|region=Sweden|type=single|artist=Pink|title=So What|award=Gold|relyear=2008|certyear=2008|refname="sria"|access-date=25 November 2021}}
{{Certification Table Entry|region=Switzerland|type=single|artist=Pink|title=So What|award=Platinum|relyear=2008|certyear=2009|certref=}}
{{Certification Table Entry|region=United Kingdom|artist=Pink|title=So What|award=Platinum|number=2|id=12135-550-1|salesamount=1,300,000|salesref={{cite web|url=https://www.officialcharts.com/chart-news/pinks-official-top-20-biggest-songs__18813/|title=Pink's Official Top 20 biggest songs|last=Copsey|first=Rob|website=Official Charts|date=April 26, 2021}}|type=single|relyear=2008|certyear=2022|access-date=February 18, 2022|refname="bpi"}}
{{Certification Table Entry|region=United States|artist=Pink|title=So What|nocert=true|salesamount=4,624,000|salesref=}}
{{Certification Table Separator|title=Ringtone}}
{{Certification Table Entry|region=United States|artist=Pink|title=So What|nocert=true|salesamount=600,000|salesref={{cite magazine|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=OBMEAAAAMBAJ&pg=PA43|title=Smash Hit|first=Kerry|last=Mason|date=November 15, 2008|magazine=Billboard|access-date=July 14, 2023}}}}
{{Certification Table Bottom|streaming=true}}
Radio and release history
See also
- List of number-one singles in Australia in 2008
- List of number-one hits of 2008 (Austria)
- List of Hot 100 number-one singles of 2008 (Canada)
- List of European number-one hits of 2008
- List of number-one hits of 2008 (Germany)
- List of number-one singles of 2008 (Ireland)
- List of number-one hits of 2008 (Switzerland)
- List of number-one singles from the 2000s (New Zealand)
- List of number-one singles from the 2000s (UK)
- List of Hot 100 number-one singles of 2008 (U.S.)
- List of number-one dance airplay hits of 2008 (U.S.)
References
{{Reflist|30em}}
{{MTV Europe Music Award for Best Song}}
{{Pink singles}}
{{Authority control}}
Category:Billboard Hot 100 number-one singles
Category:Number-one singles in Australia
Category:Number-one singles in Austria
Category:Canadian Hot 100 number-one singles
Category:European Hot 100 Singles number-one singles
Category:Number-one singles in Germany
Category:Irish Singles Chart number-one singles
Category:Number-one singles in Israel
Category:Number-one singles in New Zealand
Category:Number-one singles in Switzerland
Category:UK singles chart number-one singles
Category:Music videos directed by Dave Meyers (director)
Category:Song recordings produced by Max Martin
Category:Songs written by Max Martin
Category:Songs written by Pink (singer)
Category:Songs written by Shellback (record producer)
Category:Songs with feminist themes
Category:LaFace Records singles